Harry Styles Returns with 'Kiss All the Time': A Disco-Infused Comeback
Where has Harry Styles been? Not where you might expect. Since concluding his world tour in 2023, the pop sensation has been on a personal journey, including a reset in Italy that reshaped his perspective. He popped up at the Vatican during the announcement of a new pope, mingled with locals in Roman bars, and was even filmed attempting to help a fan park a car. This hiatus followed the loss of his former bandmate Liam Payne, who died in 2024, and a pause in his acting career.
Now, Styles is back with a triumphant performance at the Brit Awards and a new album titled Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally..., ready to reclaim his crown as pop's millennial king. "Let light come in once in a while," he sings, reflecting the la dolce vita influence that permeates this playful, bold, and experimental record.
A Newfound Perspective and Vulnerability
Styles sounds more relaxed than ever, shedding the self-consciousness that once plagued his attempts to emulate David Bowie. This album marks his most vulnerable exploration yet, delving into themes of relationships, adulthood, and the loss of innocence. It opens with "Aperture," a dizzying, euphoric dance track released in January, layered with lush harmonies and a pulsing synth beat that sets the tone for the journey ahead.
He follows his own advice to "go forth, ask questions later," showcasing a curiosity that was perhaps lacking in his 2022 Grammy-winning album, Harry's House. While that record was praised for its "funk shuffle and future soul panache," it sometimes felt like Styles was trying too hard to fit into the mold of a pop auteur.
Disco Beats and Experimental Sounds
Not so here. Tracks like "American Girls" blend Eighties Italo disco with French house, while "Ready, Steady, Go!" features chaotic brilliance with bloopy keys and drum rhythms from Sons of Kemet co-founder Tom Skinner. "Dance No More" riffs on Rick James's "Super Freak," with Styles squawking lines about respecting your mother, adding a funky, irreverent twist.
Styles continues his signature vignette-style songwriting, exemplified in "Pop," a sexy, explorative number with squelchy funk beats and blurry lyrical snapshots. He questions his own actions in "Are You Listening Yet?" and wrestles with guilt in "Paint By Numbers," which seemingly addresses his split from director Olivia Wilde.
Standout Tracks and Emotional Depth
"The Waiting Game" showcases a yearning voice with a touch of Bowie in its deeper register, set against a Radiohead-style guitar chord. "Coming Up Roses" is a highlight, with Styles channeling Chet Baker over beautifully arranged strings by conductor Jules Buckley, delivering perhaps his best vocal performance to date.
While not every turn of phrase lands perfectly, Kiss All the Time offers unprecedented insight into Styles's psyche. From situationships in "Taste Back" to reflections on past mistakes, the album feels authentic and raw.
No True Peer in Pop
It's a relief to have Styles back, especially as women in pop have dominated recent years. He stands alone among male peers like Bad Bunny or Sam Fender, with newcomers like Benson Boone unable to match his level of pizzazz. By stepping away and letting go of fears, Styles has returned with clarity and music that truly sounds like him. He let the light in, and it shows in every track.
